‘The Unbearable Lightness of Scones’ by Alexander McCall Smith

What I appreciate about Alexander McCall Smith is that he celebrates the ordinary. His view of life and love is beautifully observed, cleverly detailed, and accurately described. He creates conflict and embroiders it with philosophy. There is always depth tinged with humour or is it humour tinged with depth? The author worked as a medical law professor before he started writing novels, so it should be no surprise that he is good at ethics. I am delighted to have a ticket to hear him speak in London next month!

He has a number of series, all of which I follow. I do enjoy the comfort of a series at times, although it almost seems he writes them much faster than I can read them! I am caught up on the No. 1 Ladies Detective Series, have only one more to read in the Isobel Dalhousie Series, but am woefully behind in this series, 44 Scotland Street. This one is #5 out of nine. But that is actually good news – I don’t really want to finish and have none left. If you are a Smith fan you are following me right now, if not, you need to click here: Alexander McCall Smith Books

44 Scotland Street first appeared in weekly instalments in The Scotsman, an Edinburgh newspaper. The recurring characters, who will soon seem like neighbours down your own street, are among others:Bertie Pollock: 5 year old saxophone player who also speaks ItalianIrene Pollock: Bertie’s mother who acts more like Bertie’s personal trainerStuart Pollock: perpetually misplaces his carDr. Hugo Fairbairn: Bertie’s psychoanalystOlive and Tofu: Bertie’s friends, both incorrigibleMatthew Duncan: owner of an art galleryAngus Lordie: portrait painter and owner of CyrilCyril: Angus’s dog with a gold tooth and an insatiable taste for anklesBruce Anderson: narcissist, but not incurably soBig Lou: owner of a coffee bar, ever unlucky in love

Publishers Weekly: “episodic, amusing and peopled with characters both endearing and benignly problematic.”Library Journal said that “Smith’s insightful and comic observations, makes for an amusing and absorbing look at Edinburgh society.”Bookseller said that “the writing style is understated, and the humour subtle but at times devastating.” (Wikipedia)

Just finished 44 Scotland Street. Enjoyable and now ready for Espresso Tales.
Always have an one of Alexander’ s books in my reading pile.
I am envious of you, going to see Alexander McCall Smith in person.